The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1887-10-02
BEETLES THAT KILL TREES.
TIE TROUBLE IT rs TO SAVE CENTRAL
PARK FROM THE INSECTS,


An Entornolesist and Force or Men Kept
busy Fighting che Pests-son,e or the DiE
ferent Farssites-Mew Their ere Fousht
The work OF protecting the trees in Gen.
trail Park from the ravages OF insects has been
for three years regular department Of the
Park In charge OF Prof Z. B. southwick
the entomologist He keeps at work force Of
from two to dozen men. according 10 the sea-
son, and says that encouraging progress ia
being made In driving out Of tho Park tho
various insects that have boon preying
upon vegetation there and have ruined many
fine trees. Scores Of infested trees have been
cut down and burned. while great care is taken
to prevent tho insects from getting foothold In
the newer growth.
The caterpillars, worms, and such con-
spiouous pests are dealt with with compare
tive ease. but the most real damage is done by
moro insidious insects. such as the bark lice.
There are innumerable varieties Of these, but
in general they are a tiny, almost invisible In
sect, that pasture upon fresh twigs. and. pene-
trating tho young bark. suck the sap. ASthey
do this on exudstion from their bodies builds
up oyer them hard she'll beneath which they
continue to live, and propagate 30 rapidly that
W Sem shes ns SO
bark Of the tree. which actually Is hidden be-
theS' la" not move, and to the naked eye
shoM ~ of s waSn shaI s a5e
bransS they are and Eventually
the whole tree unless they are removed
and Ribbed somewhat like an oyster shell:
Nearly sort 81 ree has
sect g one kind Of bark louse. but # doesn't
grow In Central Park.
that infests shrubs and trees In the Park. Its
.asppea az s and manner Of work resembles
Plant lice are other i pests of vegetation. The
manner In which these insects multiply Is mar
yellops. The original eggs are laid BY the
spring into wingless forms that In turn produce
not eggs, but living young. which in ten or
the ono
ancestor Of twelve generations. and have one
Quiptillton descendants.
the roots Of trees, and borers that penetrate
their hearts, besides any quantity Of things
make HI lie missrabe tor Prof. soSthwiok and
the trees In Central Park.
The usual method OF treatment is to remove
ton with, It is said petroleum as q base, is
the Sn Wash Wits this L Is s es
still brushes OF bristles, and sometimes Of steel.
until every trace Of the insects is removed.
pAuo lI60S IeCoAro q precautionary ~
quentiy during the summer, even when they
show no injuries from insect pests.
The fine shade trees at the Fifty-ninth street
and Fifth avenue entrance to the Park are q
source Of especial trouble; They have received
q thorough WASHING half a dozen times this
season. the last one few days ago
=. Through tho country at large the extent OF
the damage done by insect parasites to trees
and vegetation Is not generally understood.
One chronological sharp, who Is spoken Of as
good authority, estimates the annual loss in
600 There Is no portion Of . plant or tree.
from the root to tho blossom. that has not its
different kinds. Of insects that prey on the
apple trees, and nearly as many on the plum.
peach, and cherry trees while the grapevine
has to Withstand the ATTACKS Of fifty insect
foes, Tho same number intest the oak: The
unfortunate pine has nearly hundred. These
are the figures Of Pr. Packard. th9 standard
Lintner. New York State Entomologist. does
much better for number. He has listed 176
different species that affect the apple tree alone